Welcome

Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the
symbol in each box.

Welcome to Am I Infected

Welcome to the "Am I Infected?" POZ forum.

New members -- those who have posted three or fewer messages -- are permitted to post questions and responses, free of charge (make them count!). Ongoing participation in the "Am I Infected?" forum -- posting more than three questions or responses -- requires a paid subscription.

A seven-day subscription is $9.99, a 30-day subscription is $14.99 and a 90-day subscription is $24.99.

Anyone who needs to post more than three messages in the "Am I Infected?" forum -- including past, present and future POZ Forums members -- will need to subscribe, with secure payments made via PayPal.

There will be no charge to continue reading threads in the "Am I Infected?" forum, nor will there be a charge for participating in any of the Main Forums; Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits; and Off Topic Forums. Similarly, all POZ pages, including our "HIV Transmission and Risks" and "Am I Infected? (A Guide to Testing for HIV)" basics, will remain accessible to all.

NOTE: HIV testing questions will still need to be posted in the "Am I Infected?" forum; attempts to post HIV symptoms or testing questions in any other forums will be considered violations of our rules of membership and subject to time-outs and permanent bans.

To learn how to upgrade your Forums account to participate beyond three posts in the "Am I Infected?" Forum, please click here.

Thank you for your understanding and future support of the best online support service for people living with, affected by and at risk for HIV.

Author
Topic: Can taking PEP twice in a year have long-term effects on my liver? (Read 14342 times)

Firstly, I would like to say that I have severe OCD about HIV infection, amongst other things, which I am getting psychological help for, but which is still seriously affecting my life.

I have looked through your transmission information, but have not found the answers I have been looking for regarding my situation.

Tonight, I was somewhat intimate with a man I am seeing (heterosexual, last HIV test came out negative 2 months ago, but this does not include two other women inside the 'window period', one of whom was a prostitute from Eastern Europe - he says that he definitely used a condom with both, although I obviously can't verify this). He masturbated and came on his own. During his masturbation session, he did occasionally stop to stroke my hair, skin and face with the hand that he was using (which may have had precum on it). He came on his bedsheets. I now have this OCD thought that I have come into contact with his semen, either with my hands, which have cuts on them, or (bizarrely) that I scooped up his semen off the sheet and inserted it into me when I went into the bathroom a couple of minutes later. (I know it sounds crazy, but that's OCD for you!)

Secondly, when we were kissing, I kissed his neck where he had recently shaved, and saw that he had cut himself from shaving. I have a couple of ulcers in my mouth as I chew the inside of my mouth when I am anxious. As I tasted blood from his neck, I am now terrified that I may have been infected (should he be HIV positive) from his shaving cuts via my mouth ulcers or gums. I'm not sure if the cuts were still bleeding or not. My dental health is generally very good, but I do tend to brush too hard and sometimes my gums bleed.

I know that I sound like I'm crazy, but should he have HIV, would there be a possibility of transmission based on these scenarios? I'm more concerned about the blood from his shaving cuts, as this actually happened, as opposed to the above obsessive thought of my inserting his semen into my vagina (which rationally I know is highly unlikely, but please, just help me abate my anxiety about this by assessing the risk!!)

The guy's hands could have been dripping with his semen while he stroked your hair or touched you and that still wouldn't have been a risk for HIV. HIV is a fragile virus. It is not transmitted in that manner.

Nor are any of the other scenarios you came up with risks for HIV.

In fact the only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. As long as condoms are always used for those activities you will be well protected.

There is no sound basis for any further concern on your part nor any need for testing at this time. Stop the drama and get on with your life.

I'm just wondering if any of you UK-based mods know of any specific therapists who specialise in OCD about HIV. My current therapist is treating me with CBT for my OCD fear of HIV infection, but although fantastic re the CBT, is not a specialist on HIV transmission. My local Sexual Health clinic has excellent health advisers regarding HIV, but they are not experts on OCD, so they (understandably) get annoyed when I am constantly bothering them with questions/seeking reassurance over 'what if' situations.

I would just like to know if anyone knows of any UK-based therapists who are experts in both OCD and HIV, who could provide phone-based counselling, and who you would recommend.

Your CBT therapist does not need to an expert in hiv transmission in order to help you effectively. Granted, it may help if he or she knows the basics and for that, you can refer your therapist here to this forum and our Lessons - the links to the relevant Lessons are in the Welcome thread, which you should have read by now.

Again, you have not had a risk for hiv infection. Believe me, if we thought you had, we'd tell you.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

You're welcome. Don't make your search more complicated than it needs to be. I agree with Ann that someone doesn't have to be an expert on HIV transmission to be helpful. The real issue is to have someone you can work with.

I know that you're all really busy, but would appreciate your help as I'm going for my 3-month post-exposure test on Monday and my OCD is really kicking off.

At the end of October, I stupidly (and drunkenly) had vaginal sex with a guy (white European, heterosexual, circumcised). I don't remember much about it, to be honest (I'm so ashamed of myself, this is not my usual behaviour, and yes, I am getting help for my alcohol abuse). The next morning, there was a used condom on the floor, but the semen stains were on my sheet (sorry for the graphic images), which immediately got me worried that he may have taken off the condom or had sex with me again when I was sleeping that I don't remember, and ejaculated in me. I asked him about it, and he just shrugged and said he didn't know/couldn't remember. We had vaginal sex again, but when he withdrew, the condom stayed in me, but hanging out of me (sorry for being graphic again!).

I wasn't overly worried until he told me a bit later that day that he has slept with a number of female prostitutes, including 2 street walkers, although he always used condoms. I know that many sex workers insist on using condoms and keep up to date with their sexual health checks, but not all do, especially those who walk the streets, as they are probably more likely to be using drugs and prostituting themselves to pay for their habit. I am not morally condemning them nor women who choose to be sex workers - in fact, I am very pro-legalising and regulating sex work to make it safer for women. But that is an aside.

I immediately flew into a panic because of the OCD and as sex workers are considered a high-risk group, and became convinced that he was HIV+ and had infected me. I know that condoms are a very effective barrier against HIV, but all the 'what ifs' about condom breakages/ineffective usage came into my head (that's the OCD talking). I was sexually assaulted about a year ago, and took PEP after that incident (HIV neg confirmed with rapid response tests and ELISA at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-attack, but it has had a serious impact on my mental health re OCD and HIV fears), so I went to the local A&E and asked for PEP. I was given Combivir and started taking it within about 18 hours post-exposure by the local doctor, and told that I needed to take it for 6 weeks, in line with the national guidelines. This sounded wrong to me, as I had taken Truvada and Kaletra for 4 weeks after the assault, so I spoke to the Terrance Higgins Trust the next morning, and they advised me to get Kaletra in addition to Combivir and to take both for 4 weeks. After hours of waiting at the A&E and arguing with the doctor, I was finally prescribed the Kaletra as well and started taking this in addition to the Combivir at around 36 hours post-exposure.

However, I was switched after about a week from Combivir to Truvada, as I had returned back to the UK and was given the 3 day emergency PEP pack, which I took, but after that was given Truvada. I had a rapid response test at 6 weeks and 7.5 weeks post-exposure (both negative) and am due my 12 week on Monday (3 months post-exposure, 2 months post-PEP).

On New Year's Eve, I had been drinking - I wasn't wasted, but I was very merry, and remember everything except the taxi ride back to my friend's house, which is the only time that I was alone. The taxi driver sexually assaulted me (he groped me), which has fed into my OCD fears and now I am going down the road of 'what ifs' that he may have raped me and that I may have contracted HIV from this. He was white Russian-Israeli (I know ethnicity and background aren't indicative of someone's HIV status, but in Israel, the majority of those with HIV tend to be sub-Saharan Africans, gay men, and Russians, so this would make him statistically more likely to be HIV+, even though the overall number of people with HIV in Israel is low, like Western Europe). I don't know what to believe as I remember everything about the night, except for the taxi ride. I was on my period, and I know that I had a tampon in when I arrived at my friend's house - it was the fact that he groped me which has set my fears into play. Logically (and physically), I would know if he had sex with me, right? I wouldn't have blocked it out because of what happened before? Would being on my period (heavy flow as it was the 2nd day) increase the risk of HIV infection from male to female, or would it remain the same level (about 1 in 1000)?

Before I went into the taxi, I fell over a hole in the road and cut my hand open (it was a darkly lit street) and there was quite a lot of blood. If the taxi driver was HIV+, could there have been any way that it could have been transmitted to me this way? If it had been a needle, would there really be a risk of HIV transmission? (I know it is very unlikely to have been a needle, but it was dark, so I couldn't see to check properly). Sorry about the 'what ifs', I just need reassurance and guidance.

I'm sorry about the length of this post, but I wanted to give you all the details so that you could make an accurate risk assessment, and so that I don't have to bug you by asking additional questions. The guy I am referring to in both this post and my previous post are the same guy, btw. He had a HIV test in November, which came back negative, but which doesn't include two prostitutes who he slept with within the previous 3 months/'window period', so his HIV status is not confirmed as negative. He has also had (so he says) protective sex (one-night stand) with another girl since me.

I know that I am coming across as needy and perhaps somewhat delusional, but OCD is a really shit illness to have!! I honestly don't think I could cope if I had OCD and HIV (this is not me being dramatic, this is the reality of having severe OCD - i.e. after taking the tablets twice daily, I had to sit upright without moving and with my teeth clenched for an hour each time to ensure that I had not thrown them back up and that they had dissolved and were in my bloodstream, doing their job). I have had really bad physical reactions to the PEP both times, and can't imagine being on them for the rest of my life. I know that you guys are dealing with living with HIV and the meds everyday, and I don't mean to offend you in any way. I would just like reassurance and guidance on my level of risk to keep my panic in check over the next few days.

How should I test from now on? I know that the guidelines for post-PEP are 12 weeks after finishing the PEP (so 4 months post-exposure), so should I test at 12 weeks, then at the end of February for conclusive results over the October incident? Should I test again at the end of March for conclusive results over the New Year's Eve events, for peace of mind? If the average time for seroconversion is 22 days, would the test on Monday (30th January) pick anything up from NYE?

Thank you in advance for all your help, and I'm really sorry to be bothering you again.

As I have suggested previosly, you need to keep things simple. The only incident where you may have had unprotected vaginal intercourse is almost 3 months ago.

And you're getting tested shortly in relation to that event. Good. If you test negative I would consider that to be a reliable result.

Your taxi incident is mainly in the realm of what if rather than a definite risk event. And all of the other what ifs you have added on to that.

If you test negative on your upcoming test I would consider that to be conclusive.

End of story. And personally I am not willing to get into more back and forths in the realm of Yes, but what if we did have sex in the taxi. Etc. I am not going to keep your OCD company with that stuff. And you would be well advised to give it up as well.

Hi, I'm having my 3 month post-exposure / 8 weeks post-PEP test on Monday, but it'll be the 20 minute rapid test. Firstly, I'm really scared that it'll come back positive and that I am HIV+; secondly, I'm worried about how accurate it'll be - I'm concerned that a false positive may show up.

I had the rapid test taken at 6 weeks post-exposure (2 weeks post-PEP) and 7.5 weeks post-exposure (3.5 weeks post-PEP) - both came back non-reactive. I described the potential risk (possibly unprotected vaginal intercourse with a man of unknown status) in an earlier post. I took the PEP consistently and completed the course, but was started on Combivir only, with Kaletra added (both within 36 hours) but was then switched from Combivir to Truvada after a week. Do you think that I will test negative based on this risk assessment?

How common, in your experience, is it that false positives show up? I'm not pregnant, nor on any medications which could interact with the test (I'm on Paroxetine for the OCD and Valium for the anxiety, but I've been told that these don't interfere with the test).

I understand that a Western Blot would be confirmatory, but how often do false positives turn up, and should I ask for another rapid test should the worst happen and the result is reactive? The test I am given at my local clinic is the DUO, so should I be looking out for the P24 antigen or the antibodies reaction? If I had seroconverted, the P24 wouldn't show any more as the antibodies would have kicked in, is that correct?

Basically, I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst, and whether or not I should ask for a second rapid test in addition to the WB for initial confirmation should a positive result show.

Also, to what extent can I trust this test at 3 months post-exposure/2 months post-PEP. I'm a bit confused, as the HIV counsellor at the clinic told me that either the PEP works, or it doesn't, so HIV would have shown up on the 6 week or the 7.5 week post-exposure. I don't want to contradict your advice, I am genuinely confused.

I know that you won't engage with my irrational OCD thoughts, but I am concerned about New Year's Eve, especially now that I am coming up to testing time, and am wondering if you could give me a risk assessment based on the worst case scenarios.

1. I fell onto a needle 2. I could have come into contact with contaminated blood or body fluids through the deep cut in my hand3. The taxi driver did have sex with me, and would my having heavy period flow increase the risk of contracting HIV from his semen?

Basically, would this test on Monday (approx 29/30 days post-potential exposure) show up anything, or would I have to wait until the 3 months (so re-test end of March).

I just need someone to logically assess the risk for me, so that I can reduce my anxiety and be more rational about the situation, based on statistics and expert knowledge.

Sorry to sound stupid, but would the DUO rapid test always pick up on the P24 antigen? So would my non-reactive 2 week and 3.5 week post-PEP test be a good indication that I did not contract HIV from that incident? Would the DUO test pick up the P24 antigen should I have been infected on NYE since it will be 29/30 days later, or would I have missed the 'window' that the P24 shows up in? Would a test at this time be as good an indicator as the 6-week test re accuracy?

The rapid test is the standard one used at my local NHS (UK) clinic, and shows reactions to both the P24 and antibodies. I don't know if it's official name is the DUO - it's a thin strip which blood then solution is dropped onto, then a line appears to show that the test is working. There is a space for both the P24 and the antibodies - if they remain clear, it's negative, if one or more of the spaces show up with a red line, then it is reactive and therefore the blood contains HIV. Is this the same test as the DUO?

At the clinic, we have a choice of either the rapid test or to have blood drawn. Since the wait is a week for the results, I have always gone for the rapid test. Should I be having both the rapid test and the drawn blood (ELISA??) test done on Monday? Should I be worried about previous results (over a year ago) of the rapid tests re accuracy?

Thanks for your quick response and your advice - it is much appreciated.

You do not need a DUO the P24 part of the test is only good from week 1 to 3/4. Your conclusive test will be 3 months post your last dose of PEP.

Stop making this situation more complicated than it is just because you are trying to hurry a result. You had a low level risk and the likelihood is that you're going to test negative.

As I mentioned before we're not going to indulge you in a further lot of back and forth about this. And if you attempt to do that you may find yourself getting a Time Out from the site. Ultimately I expect you to come out of this ok.

Hi, sorry to bother you again, but I had a rapid result test done today (negative), and was told by the HIV counsellor that this was 100% conclusive as it was 3 months post-exposure (8 weeks post-PEP). Also, regarding my fears about NYE, I was told that this test at 4 weeks post-potential exposure was around 99% accurate according to the manufacturer.

I have booked two more appointments for 4 weeks and 8 weeks time, just to make doubly/triply sure as this will be 12 weeks post-PEP for the first and then 12 weeks post-potential exposure on NYE for the second.

Have you heard of any HIV tests which come back negative at 4 weeks coming back positive at 8 or 12 weeks? Should I have any worries, or should I stop the drama and get on with my life? I'll still have the tests done for peace of mind, but can I sleep a bit easier at night thinking that this test has come back negative for the only actual potential sexual exposure (end of October '11, plus PEP), and the 'what if' OCD fears from NYE?

I don't want to sound sycophantic, but you guys have been fantastic and a great lifeline to me and so many others, and I am really, really grateful for all your knowledgeable advice that you give out. So, thank you.

■Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result, or no-risk situation will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

I understand from previous posts that the guidelines given here are 12 weeks POST-PEP, whereas I am only 8 weeks post-PEP; I had a genuine risk, hence why I took the PEP; I don't think that I have been posting excessively (I'm not posting numerous times a day, therefore I believe that I have not contravened the guidelines). I understand that this must be frustrating to have the same questions over and over again, but I would not be asking them if they had already been answered for my situation. I have seen other posts about the likelihood of 6-week tests remaining negative, but not for 4 weeks, so am asking whether the manufacturer is making unsound claims, in your experience (99% sounds very high).

I am also asking how effective the test would be at 8 weeks post-PEP, since the HIV counsellor told me that it was 100%, regardless of the PEP. This is a genuine question.

I could understand if I was mithering over the 'what ifs' from NYE only, but I am not. Obviously I am concerned about it, which is why I have asked about the efficacy of testing at 4 weeks and whether in your experience(s) the mods have known about a negative test at 4 weeks or at 8 weeks changing to positive at a later date.

Your negative test result is very unlikely to change when you do a conclusive test at 13 weeks post-PEP. In fact I regard your re-testing as a mere formality at this point since your risk was low level to begin with.

Stop the drama, wait to test and then collect another negative result.

My health advisor says that I am now conclusively HIV-neg re the potential exposure in October, and that I am unlikely to be HIV+ from anything that could have happened on NYE. But, some guidelines say that after PEP, I need a confirmatory test at 6 months post-PEP. Is this true, or can I conclusively state that I am HIV-neg now?

Secondly, I have learnt so much about HIV during this time, and would like to become involved in some kind of charity work re reducing HIV social stigma. I know that I could donate to THT or related charities, but I would like to do more. Would this be acceptable to the HIV community if I remain HIV-neg for me to volunteer my time for advocacy or something similar, or would this be considered inappropriate? Just wondering about your personal opinions on this, and if you could give me any UK-based links if you feel that it would be appropriate.

PEP only extends the testing window for ONE month past the standard three month period.

You are absolutely HIV negative.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

As Jonathan says, you do not need further testing. You are conclusively hiv negative.

You do NOT have hiv!

There are many hiv organisations in the UK who accept hiv negative volunteers.

However.

While it is entirely appropriate for hiv organisations to employ hiv negative volunteers, I really rather doubt it is appropriate for YOU.

You have told us again and again about your severe OCD and I can only see you freaking out after being in a building surrounded by hiv positive people. Until you get your OCD completely under control, an hiv organisation is the last place for you to be. Seriously.

Stick to much-needed monetary donations for now. With all the budget cuts these days, your donations will be greatly appreciated - and more helpful to the organisations than having to deal with your OCD.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Dear Ann, sorry that I PM-ed you, I know that it was against the rules and I'm sorry. But I am very very scared at the moment about the potential risk. I am hoping that you'll answer on the forum.

Last night, I was fingered by a man of unknown status, but who is bisexual and sleeps with both men and women, although he says he always uses condoms and is the insertive partner.

However, I noticed after that his fingers were bleeding from a cut (not from me), and am concerned about the potential risk of HIV transmission from his fresh blood inside my vagina. It wasn't gushing, I don't think, but there was definitely quite a bit - I think he may have cut himself on a broken glass. If it was fresh and still bleeding then would this be as risky or more risky than semen?

Please please could you tell me if this was a real risk for HIV transmission, and if I should need PEP for this potential exposure. I haven't found anything similar to my concerns on the forum.

Please, please help me, I am having panic attacks and am in a really bad way over this. Have I put myself at risk for HIV? I'm terrified.

Once again you are worrying needlessly. HIV is absolutely not passed through fingering, no not even if there is some bleeding involved. It's a fragile virus and its viability once outside of the body is immediately affected by small changes in temperature, ph and moisture levels, making it unable to be transmited in a viable form.

Stop the drama right now. There was no risk, no need for testing and certainly no need for PEP.

Keep in mind you are still under a warning for a Time Out if you continue to return here when the real risks have been carefully explained to you. You are not so special that you are going to get HIV in ways that no one else has.

Thank you for your reply. Just to confirm, as I'm a bit confused, the fact that his finger was bleeding, with fresh blood, means that the blood could not infect me (or anyone) with HIV.

I understand about fingering not being a risk, but it is the bleeding finger, with fresh blood which has not been exposed to air (ie his finger was still bleeding whilst inside me, therefore had not been exposed to air, as it was coming from his finger into my vagina) which concerns me. This is still not a risk, even if the blood had not been exposed to air but was going directly from his finger into my vagina?

Sorry for the additional question, I am just confused. I know that I am on/close to a TO, but please just confirm this for me, and I won't post again. Thank you for your time and your advice. I'm sorry for not understanding properly.

Thank you for your response. I am really grateful. I can see that people like me must make you really annoyed with my/our unfounded fears and ignorance. I'm sorry if I've upset you in any way, and I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

I know that you said that you've never heard of a case of HIV being transmitted via fingering, but as a general question, have there been cases of HIV been transmitted via fresh, not-exposed-to-air blood infecting someone via their vagina? I know that this sounds like a 'what-if', but I genuinely am interested in knowing if there have been documented cases of infections this way. This is not me trying to question your answer or ask my question in a different way, I am just wondering if HIV can be transmitted via the vagina through blood (like a direct blood transfusion in a way), rather than semen. Thank you for your time.

No, there are absolutely NO documented cases of transmission happening in the way you're imagining. There are no cases because it doesn't happen.

Once again you're freaking yourself out for no good reason. You need to get back into therapy ASAP, even if it means cutting your trip short. Your mental health is more important - and you won't be permitted to use this forum as a substitute for face-to-face therapy for your out-of-control OCD.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

This probably sounds ridiculous, but I don't want to go searching the web and getting wrong answers about this, so please just humour me.

Regarding the fingering incident I mentioned in my last post, the guy had/has a wart on the base of the finger he was using on/in me, and which he'd been scratching, so it was bleeding/had been bleeding a bit too (it looked and still looks grazed).

His HIV status is unknown, but could HIV be transmitted via his wart to me via sexual contact? Or to put it another way, without personalising it, do warts on hands/fingers contain HIV (maybe 'piggy-backing' on the HPV) as they are connected to blood vessels, and would this be a risk?

As I'm reading this back, I realise how ridiculous and outlandish this sounds, and I'm not wanting to go into 'what-if' territory, but I am curious (and, OK, yes, worried) that warts, which are very infectious re HPV, could also increase the risk of HIV transmission. I've read that having STDs increases the risk of HIV transmission, but would visible warts/HPV also increase the risk?

But YES, that will be your last question for at least 28 days. I'm giving you that long over-due time out you've been repeatedly warned about. You're not listening to a word we say, so what's the point?

Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Just a quick question for reassurance - I think I already know the answer, but I would just like some confirmation.

I have a deep cut on my hand (knuckle, about 0.5cm by 0.5cm) which had started to scab over, but last night I was out watching the football final and knocked my hand on the bar edge, which knocked the scab off and the cut started bleeding. A stranger pointed out that I was bleeding, then took my hand and kissed the wound before I could stop him. I immediately withdrew my hand from his and wiped it on my trousers.

I know that saliva is not infectious re kissing etc, but I am worried that there may have been blood in his saliva, or that there is some way that HIV could be transmitted this way.

I'm just concerned that the direct contact of his saliva (which may or may not have had blood in it) on my bleeding cut could transmit HIV. Is this impossible? I don't want to spend hours worrying about this or searching the web to freak myself out. I know that there are a lot of 'what if's' re if he had blood in his saliva, but worse case scenario that he did, could there be any chance of HIV being transmitted by direct contact with an open and bleeding wound?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

There's no way on earth you're going to get infected from someone kissing your boo-boo. Knock it off.

We're not going to go round and round again with you over your latest NO RISK concern. If you insist on coming back for more, you'll get a SECOND time out - one that will last for 56 days, unlike the shorter one you got on April 23rd.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I wasn't sure if I can post here, but I was hoping to get some advice from you guys.

I've taken PEP twice - firstly in October/November 2010 following an assault by a stranger (unknown HIV status), then again in November 2011 after a possible exposure. I had my liver functions checked two weeks into the PEP regimes both times, and they came back as slightly higher than normal, but I was told that it was nothing to worry about.

However, since the second round of PEP, I've been getting really bad acne - huge red hives all over my face and back. I've never had serious acne in my life - yes, the occasional outbreak, but nothing like this.

I'm concerned that taking the PEP (Truvada and Kaletra both times, although the second time I was switched onto Combivir to replace one of the others - I forget which one - as the clinic had run out of the other) has damaged my liver. I know that the liver regenerates itself, but I can't understand why I have this awful acne when nothing else has changed in my lifestyle/diet etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone could provide me with some information on whether or not I should be getting any tests done at the doctors, or if taking the PEP twice in 12 months has caused any permanent damage to me. Could the after effects of the PEP (ie on my liver) be causing this acne?

Thanks for your help, and best wishes,

Elles

P.S. I know that PEP isn't something to be taken lightly (literally!) and it's not something that I ever would like to go through again. I know that these are expensive drugs, and that some people might think me selfish for taking medication which could have gone on other people who needed them, but both times I felt it was a necessary precaution as I was extremely distressed. Thank you for your understanding.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts